Send In The Clowns
Summary
Adventure: Send In The Clowns
GM: Andrew W
Season: Winter 803 wk
- Dramatis Personae
- Braegon, Constant Commander, a male human earth-elemental.
- Serendipity, Dark Damsel, female elven Celestial mage.
- Dawn, Aerial Aficionado, a female human Air mage.
- Roke, Eccentric Enchanter, a male human E&E.
- Amelia, Military Maestro, a female halfling warrior.
- Pent, Rimy Ruffian, a male halfling Ice mage.
- Mortimer, Scrupulous Scribe, male halfling warlock.
- Mission
- Restore the rightful ruler of Proscenia and oust the tyrant Antelone. *** WARNING: Mimes! ***
Act I - Alusian Tales: Forward to Proscenia
Scene I - Duesday 1st Frost. A room at the Guild. Daytime.
Enter The Party (except Pent) and Il Capitano.
The Party have assembled in a room at the Guild to take up the offer of employment of Il Capitano (currently known as Captain Brown). He tells how he hails from Proscenia, a distant shore (and other plane), where once he was captain of the palace guard, and chief of the Mime Division of Artistic Enforcement.
Though now retired, and a private citizen, Il Capitano, acting as a consultant to the palace, is concerned that Mimes will once again cause havoc at Proscenia's annual Carnival. He has come to Alusia, and sought brave (expendable and deniable) heroes to assist. "Brown" is dressed after the fashion of a Destinian but in brown and tan, with some patches of colour. He appears to have no College, but does have a magical power of "mimicry".
Proscenia it seems, a peaceful and stable kingdom, is blighted by mimes, practitioners of mummery, an unlawful form of magic, and unlike to the normal (and legal) known colleges. He tells how during his term as Captain the top five Mime Lords were all captured and thrown into Dom Daniel -- a form of planar oubliette -- a box from which none can escape and inside of which none can be read using the arts of the Astrologer.
He also tells how last Carnival, some 11 months ago, there was much unpleasantness with mimes, and how the old and senile king Arturo abdicated his throne, and retired from public life, in favour of his half-brother Antelone. Later, both the old king's chancellor (also his jester), one Arlecchino by name, and also a court musician, Brighella, much known for his singing, were found to be mimes and cast into Dom Daniel. Fortunately for Il Capitano, he had resigned his commission as much as an hour before the change of government, and was happily pensioned off.
Recently he says, there have been mime incursions, and he fears that either a new Mime Lord has arisen or some have escaped from Dom Daniel. This latter fear is supported by recent successful astrology readings that should have failed as they were made about those in Dom Daniel. Il Capitano wishes the party to verify whether mimes have escaped from Dom Daniel, and reveals his most cunning plan.
The Cunning Plan:
Il Capitano plans to have the party remove their equipment and be transported to Proscenia, where, arrested on trumped up charges of mummery, they will be taken to Dom Daniel for permanent incarceration. But there, instead of being stripped and bound and thrown into the oubliette, Il Capitano will have their equipment waiting and fully outfitted they will voluntarily leap into Dom Daniel and then try to count the Mime Lords therein and then escape.
The party demur.
Il Capitano also warns the party that while they should be successful in preventing most disruption of the Carnival they should not be too successful, for such a degree of success would most probably result in them being tried for High Treason, and either slain, or if deemed too dangerous, stripped and bound and thrown into Dom Daniel. By way of payment Il Capitano offers up to 50 lbs of gold, depending upon degree of success, and leaves same deposited with the Guild.
The party discuss options, dismiss the cunning plan, agree to travel back to Proscenia with Il Capitano, and leave about their various affairs.
[Exeunt]
Scene II - Duesday 1st Frost. The same room at the Guild late that evening.
Enter All the Party and Il Capitano.
The party re-convenes. Braegon is now covered by an illusion of a large and hulking man, but no longer appears to be made of stone. Serendipity now appears to have feet. Pent joins the rest of the party and Il Capitano reports that mimes have followed him to Alusia. He believes that at least three mimes have followed him and there are reports from the Seagate guards that they have been busily arresting street performers this night and escorting them out of town. They report having arrested some 30 mimes and taken some to jail; one is still there, but from what we know of Proscenian mimes we believe the poor chap languishing in durance vile is probably an innocent Alusian. The party cast various and sundry defensive magics and then depart for Il Capitano's planar pick-up point.
[Exeunt]
Scene III - Duesday 1st Frost. New Seagate Town Square, a little after midnight.
Enter The Party and Il Capitano on wings.
Arriving in the town square the party checks for suspicious characters, examines trees and statues, and notices a chestnut seller. At half pas the hour of twelve, Il Capitano begins an oration designed to attract his planar pick-up.
It is a particularly flowery piece of martial poetry apparently exhorting soldiers to die for some fellow named Crispin. In response to his oratory, far off in the night a shaft of bright light appears, not unlike a Solar Flare in appearance, and begins sweeping towards New Seagate.
Also at this point mimes appears in and around the square, and throwing off their disguises of fruit trees, municipal statuary and a chestnut stall, they converge on the party's position apparently intent on sharing our planar portal back to Proscenia.
The party attempts to prevent this; Braegon erects rings of stone and iron, Pent ices the top. Some mimes leap the walls while others find their way through them, the iron does not effect them, though they are temporarily discommoded by a wall of thorns. Various of the party attempt bodily harm on the mimes within the walls with mixed success. As this frantic action is taking place the shaft of light approaches at speed and suddenly transfixes the scene with a dazzling glare. All goes bright and then dark.
[Exeunt Omnes]
Scene IV - Immediately thereafter. An open place of no known location.
Enter Each of the players separately.
Each of the party find themselves utterly alone, in a place of emptiness with no sight or sound or tactile sense, though they can still feel the existence and position of their bodies. Slowly sight returns and other members of the group, initially far off, draw closer with no feeling of movement. All of the party, Il Capitano and seven mimes are present. The elementalists find that they cannot draw mana, though Roke and Mortimer can. Some of the mimes attempt to sneak away. Despite the lack of elemental magic the party throws various effects at the mimes; Roke webs some who begin sawing out with mimed hacksaws, Dawn conjures a bear that proceeds to dance with one of the mimes, mimes caught in areas of light freeze, Pent unlimbers a pie throwing gonne (which proves most successful), Braegon experiments with calling "Hey You!" at them and the like.
Three mimes manage to sneak away, the four caught in light we nickname from their clothes (and former disguises): Zorro, Patch, Woody and Peach. Roke uses telekinesis to take Zorro's mask -- there appears to be no head behind it and Zorro hides his face in his hands. Peach is dancing with the bear, and as she extricates herself Mortimer curses her with two left feet. Serendipity hits Patch with a flour bomb that strikes him upon the heart shaped patch on his chest and he "dies" dramatically. Braegon rallies the remaining mimes with a call to mess and they line up, allowing Pent to throw more pies. The party takes a few more pot-shots and the remaining mimes run off.
Patch is examined and found to be seriously injured. He is stabilized by cleaning the cloth heart patch, but remains unconscious. The patches on his outfit are affected by a strong magic of "organ transferral" and appear to absorb shocks and provide triple jointing. Divination reveals that he has been affected by various mummery magics including organ transfer, wall walking, stealth and communication. We roll Patch up in a large rug that Roke happens to be carrying.
In the distance a light appears, it draws closer and we find ourselves out of the inter-planar space.
[Exeunt]
End of Act I
Act II - Proscenia: A Kingdom for a stage
Act II - Proscenia: A Kingdom for a stage
Scene I Duesday 1st Frost. Proscenia customs house, and streets, early morning.
Enter All the Party and Il Capitano, with Patch rolled in a carpet.
We appear in a warehouse and on an enormous set of scales, where Il Capitano declares us as cultural artefacts and souvenirs of his reported trip to the "south coast". We are somewhat overweight, due no doubt to Patch being in Roke's carpet and Serendipity levitates slightly removing her weight to even things out. Mortimer does much the same, but mostly just to annoy the customs officials. We are declared overweight, an extra fee is levied, and we are free to leave. Of the mimes who snuck away in the inter-planar space there is no sign. We travel through the sleeping streets of Proscenia in the cold night air. It is well lit with oil lantern street lights and even the smaller houses appear prosperous by the standard of the Baronies. We travel into a wealthier area with larger houses and arrive at Il Capitano's home, a large house with several servants.
[Exeunt]
Scene II Duesday 1st Frost. Upstairs in Il Capitano's house, early morning.
Enter All the Party and Il Capitano, with Patch rolled in a carpet.
Il Capitano tells us that our main contact while here will be his valet Zanni. We get the impression that Il Capitano wishes to converse little with us, perhaps so that we cannot divine his true purposes. We expect that Zanni will know as little as he needs to so that we cannot learn things we should not.
[Exit Il Capitano, Enter Zanni]
Zanni proves to be a male human in his mid-20's, tidy and enthusiastic. He has no college but possesses the ability of "wall walking" and began studying performance magics some 10 years ago. He is wearing a Mind Cloak, the most recent magic upon him is "forget" and he is a native of Proscenia.
The party, suspicious sorts that they are, suggest that Zanni's abilities suggest that he is in fact a mime. Zanni denies this, claiming not to be a mime, but rather a trainee Binder. He does admit however that his parents were arrested and removed for crimes of mummery and that he was a ward of the state before becoming Il Capitano's valet. It also appears that some mimes are reformed by the state and move into useful and legal careers as criers and merchants.
Zanni is interviewed and provides information about the happenings a year past and of the mimes: The old King, Arturo, was replaced by his younger half-brother Antelone. The Administration changed with the King, some people were arrested, some went on "holiday" to the coast -- and of these some are still alive. He also recounts how two members of the old King's court were found to be Mime Lords and sent to Dom Daniel, information we had from Il Capitano. Zanni tells how artistic movements change quickly, that there are never more than a few leading lights in mummery (these are the Mime Lords?) and that once the leader is removed some of the followers retire, while others change movements. Zanni reiterates Il Capitano's plan; we should enter Dom Daniel and then try to escape, thus proving it can be done and explaining the astrology readings that suggest two Mime Lords have escaped. The party becomes frustrated with Zanni's lack of information and requests to speak again with Il Capitano.
[Exit Zanni, Enter Il Capitano]
Il Capitano appears loathe to offer more information. He suggests that the information he has could "kill us all", and that even "saying this endangers us". The party are nonplussed as it appears Il Capitano's entire plan is to have us leap into a place that for hundreds of years the Proscenians have deemed inescapable and try to find a way out. Il Capitano also claims not to know that Zanni possesses mummery skills. We offer Il Capitano another option: if we can find an escaped mime that would prove the same thing; that escape from Dom Daniel is possible.
Il Capitano tells how upon retiring, the old King Arturo did himself journey to Dom Daniel. His successor, Antelone is unmarried and the old King's daughter, Princess Garsenda (herself in her early 20's and unmarried) is the only apparent heir. Arturo is seems had always been somewhat eccentric -- a number of positions within his court having been held by statues -- and had in his dotage been greatly influenced by his jester Arlecchino, whom he had made chancellor. With his abdication some two-thirds of the previous court has "retired to the South Coast", and some thirty servants (including children) were sent to Dom Daniel -- rather than be slain, this was considered a regal mercy. This totalled some 50 or so people sent to Dom Daniel in the last year -- whereas before this one every few years was the norm.
He further tells how recent astrology readings looking for risks to the King and kingdom have given answers that are most similar in style to some of 11 months ago (before Brighella and Arlecchino were escorted to Dom Daniel), and that this strongly suggest that two Mime Lords believed to be in Dom Daniel are indeed at large. People sent to Dom Daniel do occasionally emerge, but only if they are dead: it appears that sometimes bodies are found floating in the Aether lake near Dom Daniel, naked but without manacles and not aged from when they were cast in -- even if years have passed. There are never marks upon the bodies and Healers gain no useful information, nor will speaking with the dead work. Once a body is found Astrology readings will confirm the existence, and death, of the person. The readings with which Il Capitano is concerned however suggest that two figures have escaped alive; Arlecchino and someone rather sombre (though we have no better identification).
Dawn's idea: After we discover that Il Capitano can mimic the magical abilities of others, Dawn suggest that he imitate Roke's Location spell and attempt to find people with whom he is familiar who should be in Dom Daniel. He attempts to locate Arturo, Brighella and Arlecchino all with no success. But is was a good idea none-the-less.
[Exit Il Capitano]
The party examine the domino mask that Roke grabbed, and also Patch; the mime in the carpet. The mask proves to be the focus for disguise magics. Patch is found to have acquired a note: "Please return to sender". The note has been affected by Prestidigitation magic. We do not know how that got there. Pent hibernates Patch. Serendipity does a Star Reading on "the whereabouts and well-being of the former King's minstrel Brighella", and gets a response that suggests he is alive and well and living on the south coast, "Oh, I do like to be beside the sea-side...". Being late, and many hours since the party members had slept, we away to bed.
[Exeunt]
Scene III W'nsday 2nd Frost. Il Capitano's house, an hour before noon.
[Alarums] Enter The Party.
The party awakes to divers alarums and excursions. Carriages have arrived at the house and guards are diverting traffic. The party, fearing a well announced attack, prepare for the worst. Downstairs the Princess Garsenda is escorted inside where she visits with Il Capitano and discusses opera.
[Enter Zanni and Columbina]
Zanni brings the much coifed and coutured Columbina upstairs where she exults at us, saying that we are "going to visit Arlecchino", who has been "sent to Dom Daniel", and that we are "champions of the oppressed". This all appears to be Zanni's doing, and with the blessing of his master.
[Exit Princess, Columbina and cast of thousands]
The party remonstrates with Zanni, explaining that our mission is a secret and that he is to tell no others of it. Zanni responds that he will follow his master's orders. This further raises our suspicions that Il Capitano is playing a game other than that of which he has informed us. We are also informed that Columbina will be returning later this afternoon for further exulting, once she has been informed that she has left her fan at the house. The party have determined that, following Serendipity's reading of last night, we should journey on wings and other forms of magical flight to the South Coast and there attempt to discover the whereabouts of Brighella. Zanni will be accompanying us to continue to provide information without price, and to keep tabs on us for Il Capitano. Zanni leaves, to portal to the coast and arrange accommodation, before returning and flying down with us. Your humble scribe feels that the wit of this plan cannot be explained by mere words.
[Exit Zanni, Enter Il Capitano]
The party enjoys luncheon with Il Capitano, where he explains that the Princess's visit was unexpected and that he is a "friend of the family". It is possible that her Highness was checking on the truth of the "souvenirs" with which Il Capitano had returned. Our employer explains that in a month or so, when the request for payment of duty arrives from customs he will return us. Asking about our planned trip south, Il Capitano confirms that we can travel without papers, as indeed servants do, and that flying is permitted, although not through towns. He does not believe that Brighella retired to the coast, so if he is there it would be evidence of escape from Dom Daniel. We ask after portraits or statues of the people whom we seek. It appears that many statues of Arturo have "weathered badly" (probably vandalized) and that some were not good personal likenesses anyway. There may be some useful portraits, but these are in the palace and not easily accessible. When we ask if Il Capitano has any idea how we might find Brighella, he suggests that he will be locatable by the panicked and screaming crowds, will be dressed brightly and will most probably be flying through the air and setting buildings on fire. No doubt this is the official description, but we doubt it will be useful. Il Capitano tells us more of mimes (see the Glossary).
Our employer has certain "contacts" in the south so we arrange a simple recognition phrase. It is in Khuzdul, the language of the Dwarves and unknown on Proscenia. "Perhaps you know our mutual friend Loraco?". In the case of danger the name will be feminized to Loraca. As Pent comments, "Guys are good, girls are bad".
Il Capitano also confirms the connection between Columbina and Arlecchino, in that they were courting.
[2 hours after noon, Exit Il Capitano]
The party discusses matters. We suspect that Il Capitano wants to put old friends back on top, and perhaps desires a relationship with the Princess, supporting her as heir, and perhaps marriage.
[Enter Columbina]
Zanni gives Columbina's fan to Serendipity and regrets it. The fan is given to Columbina. In discussion it is revealed that she was away during the last Carnival and change of government, but she explains of the exiled servants that they no doubt "saw a lot and formed misleading opinions" and that "remedial action" was required. Some were sent to Dom Daniel, some innocents were sent to state "schools". Columbina was surprised when Arlecchino was found guilty of mummery. Of Columbina: a short lived sentient, warded against magic, and with a blurry aura of concealing magic. Asked for a picture of Arlechinno, Columbina gives/loans a locket to Serendipity, who in return gives/loans a brooch to Columbina. To help with our identifying exiled servants, Columbina describes for us two maid-servants and one "adorable child".
[Exit Columbina]
The party decides to rest for the afternoon. Dawn attempts a reading using divinatory feathers: "Where is Pedrolino?". The feathers do very odd things and no clear reading is made.
[Exeunt]
Scene IV W'nsday 2nd Frost. A field outside Proscenia city, night.
Enter The Party and Zanni on wings, winds and divers flying mechanisms, with Patch.
The party land in the field and do various magics. We turn Patch into a (hibernated) garter snake and stow him in a storage box belonging to Serendipity. The group then fly south for ten hours or so.
[Exeunt]
End of Act II
Act III - Upton-on-Sea: Oh, We do like to be beside the sea-side
Scene I W'nsday 2nd Frost. Roof of the "Grande" hotel, early morning.
Enter The Party and Zanni on wings, winds and divers flying mechanisms.
Zanni, it appears, acting upon instructions from Dawn has rented the entire top floor of the stone "Grande Hotel", some 12 large rooms, at the sum of 1 guinea a night. Unaccustomed to such large sums Amelia requires some reassurance. The floor has many windows and balconies, and quite a number of staircases, both public and for servants, leading to the roof and downstairs. The building is solidly designed, though militarily indefensible. After checking out the rooms Braegon sets watches and the party sleep until a late breakfast.
Braegon has a complicated watch schedule, but as certain members of the party are engaged in other activities he and Roke assume the guise of others, in order that the schedule not be altered.
Braegon [to Roke]: "You be Dawn, and I'll be Pent".
[Exeunt]
Philosophical Interlude: Concerning Serendipity and the nature of Spectres. It has not passed the party's notice that Lady Godrock has a number of unusual attributes: she can float and pass through walls, she is never seen in bright light, she practices magic of the Dark branch of the Celestial college, touching her drains life, and she can only be struck by magical weapons. These attributes are not dissimilar to those possessed by certain members of the Greater Undead, most particularly the Spectre. Lady Godrock does not however appear to be undead, the arts of the Healer appear effective upon her, and those wards and charms against the undead are not sovereign. In the absence of further evidence it does not seem possible to accurately categorize Lady Godrock, though a tentative hypothesis of "living Spectre" might be made.
Scene II Thr'sday 3rd Frost. Top floor of the "Grande" hotel, mid-morning.
Enter The Party.
The party enjoy a sumptuous buffet breakfast, and thereafter examine Columbina's locket. After ascertaining that the outside at least is not magical the locket is opened and inside is found a miniature of Columbina, and a small, dull mirror. Investigation proves that the mirror shows one's hearts love, (or hate). Amelia sees Arthur. Mortimer sees Petal. Serendipity sees a familiar face. The nature of the magic appears illusory, but we surmise that the image may be drawn from the viewer's mind. Other members of the party see only a mirror. The scribe is unsurprised that our fearless leader sees a reflection.
[Enter Zanni]
We ask Zanni to look at the "picture" in the locket and confirm the person's identity, but when he views the mirror the colour drains from his face, he snaps the locket closed, and he refuses to discuss the image that he has rather obviously seen, despite harsh questioning. Zanni refuses to even confirm that the image he saw has no bearing on our mission. Some members of the party begin to consider impolite actions. Mortimer assures Zanni that he has a strong moral objection to torture -- though this do not produce the relief expected. Zanni agrees to meet with Il Capitano's southern contacts and make enquiries regarding Brighella.
[Exit Zanni]
The party discuss theories as to whom Zanni saw, (Amelia's suggestion that Zanni saw Pedrolino, and that he is that Mime Lords son seems plausible). The Party, having learned that Brighella played an unusual instrument -- a six-stringed lute -- consider ways to find him. Seeking the name of the best maker of musical instruments hereabouts we are directed by the Concierge of the Grande to a shop off the marketplace and above a silversmiths. The party prepare to go out and investigate. Looking out the windows at the wide promenade we observe the locals. They are dressed in fine style, not unlike Destinians, but in solid, bright, thought not usually primary colours. The gentlemen tend towards doublets and trews and some carry small-swords, or daggers. The ladies wear wide skirts that require considerable room and some carry parasols. Some few of the ladies are dressed like the men and carry weapons. Having selected clothes and accessories that will not greatly dismay the locals we venture forth.
[Exeunt]
Scene III Thr'sday 3rd Frost. The Promenade and Market of Upton-on-Sea, early afternoon.
Enter The Party and many locals for colour.
The party promenades, space is offered us and in no particular haste we head for the marketplace. The scene is not unlike home, though rather cleaner and more prosperous than almost all parts of the Baronies, the cries of the street hawkers are mellifluous, and the urchins rather more rosy-cheeked and less smelly than the norm. Overall the crowds appear nothing so much as stage extras enacting a market scene in a play, but without any obvious choreography. There are some several street performers; jugglers, tumblers and musicians, and we head off down a side-street to the silversmith.
[Enter Pedro]
The smith is easy enough to find, and Roke, Dawn and Pent engage him in conversation. He refers them to his brother Paulo, who makes fine musical instruments in a workshop above the smithy.
[Exeunt]
Scene IV Thr'sday 3rd Frost. The workshop of Paulo, early afternoon.
Enter Roke, Dawn, Pent and Paulo.
Roke discusses musical instruments, and specifically six-stringed lutes with Paulo, who expresses that such an instrument is "unusual", since it is not possible to play six strings without six fingers. Paulo does however confirm that Brighella did posses such a lute, made by Paulo (before it was realized that he was a Mime Lord), and that Brighella had six fingers. Obviously something that slipped both Zanni's and Il Capitano's minds to mention. Roke commissions a "replacement" lute of the same dimensions as before, for 20 guineas, and Paulo becomes rather pale and sweaty.
[Exit All except Paulo]
[Offstage Back on the street]
Roke explains what has happened to the rest of the party and uses his "Wizard's face" to spy upon proceedings in the house. Within there is turmoil. Paulo is panicking, and discussing options for fleeing with his wife. It appears that he has mistaken Roke and companions for the minions of the Mime Lord Brighella and is considering whether he should flee immediately. Quickly the party contrives a recovery.
[Enter Serendipity and Mortimer, posing as police agents ]
Eschewing the theatrical convention of good cop / bad cop for the more avant-garde archetypes of extremely frightening cop and sinister cop, Serendipity and Mortimer gather up Paulo, Pedro and their wives and explain how matters stand. Serendipity tells how she knows that Paulo has just been contacted by several disreputable types, minions of Brighella, how they are under surveillance by the proper authorities and how it would go well for Paulo if he recounted all that had happened. Apparently satisfied with Paulo's rendition of the facts, she then instructs him not to begin work on the lute, and to stall the miscreants should they return. Having thus unburdened the instrument maker we leave.
[Exit Serendipity and Mortimer]
Scene V Thr'sday 3rd Frost. The Market and Promenade of Upton-on-Sea, early afternoon.
Enter The Party and many locals for colour.
On the way back to the Grande, the party discusses the nature of Proscenia. Braegon ventures that the mimes may perhaps be a form of scapegoat, made illegal and hated to give the people a common enemy. Roke's spell of Location on Zanni suddenly fails and a new spell fails to locate him. We return to the hotel.
[Exeunt]
Scene VI Thr'sday 3rd Frost. The Grande Hotel, early afternoon.
Enter The Party, Concierge and liveried staff.
Zanni proves not to be in our rooms. Dawn desires to fly and, since it is not felt safe for a single party member to go alone, Serendipity accompanies her.
[Exit Dawn and Serendipity]
Pent is given a sealed scroll by the Concierge. The scroll has no magic upon it but when Mortimer breaks the seal it begins to burn. The message reads: "I await my carpet delivery". The use of a divinatory device reveals an image of a barrow of apples in the marketplace, suggesting a disguised mime was nearby.
[Enter Zanni]
Zanni arrives back and tells the party members present that Il Capitano's contacts will be arriving at the hotel mid-evening, and will blend into our soiree!
[Exeunt]
[Offstage, an Aerial interlude]
Dawn and Serendipity fly out of town and during their flight observe some shadow-winged arrivals at one of the secret landing fields. They steal close and observe what appears to be police officers of some sort relaxing in an arrival area disguised as a barn. Apparently unobserved by the police, Dawn and Serendipity sneak away and depart.
Scene VII Thr'sday 3rd Frost. The Grande Hotel, late afternoon.
Enter The Party and Zanni.
Zanni, with help from the staff of the Grande has organized in short order an intimate soiree for several hundred of our closest total strangers, demonstrating that he does indeed have some useful skills. Zanni also explains Roke's previous loss of locate on him by informing us that he had portalled back to Proscenia city to keep Il Capitano up to date on our activities. He also informs us that he believes that he will be recalled soon as Il Capitano thinks us a disharmonious group -- Zanni having somehow garnered the impression that we had threatened him. Your scribe once again tries to assure Zanni that he has a most strong moral objection to torture and once more Zanni appears little relieved. Before departing to finish soiree preparations Zanni tells us that Il Capitano's contacts will speak to us at the gathering and that we should tell them that "we're not from around here".
[Exit Zanni]
Party discusses soiree, mimes, winged police, Il Capitano's cunning plan and Zanni's usefulness. Roke and Pent decide that with an hour or so to go it is time to engage the services of a tailor. Fortunately the Concierge manages to find each of them suitable, though somewhat worn outfits. Braegon, being under an illusion is unable to change his clothes, although that appears a fairly normal state of affairs. Dawn appears in a crimson confection, Serendipity dresses in stunning style, Amelia is clad in fey finery, and your scribe is attired in an unspeakable ensemble.
[Exeunt]
Scene VIII Thr'sday 3rd Frost. The Grande Hotel, dusk.
Enter The Party attired for a soiree, Zanni, Concierge and liveried staff]
Mortimer asks Zanni, as a trainee Binder, if he could fix the braid on Roke's jacket, which he does, though the appearance of the magic is a little unusual and fails to completely dismiss suspicions that he is actually a mummer.
[Enter Aristocrats, unfashionably early]
Our guests begin to arrive, announced at the door by the Concierge, and duly DAed by Serendipity and Roke, our Celestial checking for "strongest magical ability" and our Enchanter -- who knew they could DA? -- for "degree of ability in mummery". Many of the arriving guests do indeed have magical abilities -- far more than at a similar gathering on Alusia -- though many are of the cantrip or quasi-magical variety (healing and bardic voice among them). Prestidigitation features. Some have fuzzy auras similar to Columbina. One interesting demi-mondaine, accompanying a much older gentleman, possesses the Mind College and is master level in one of the less socially acceptable arts, as well as having moderate skill in mummery. A middle aged man of the De Vespa family also possesses moderate mummery, as does one of the five members of the Artistic Enforcement squad who arrive and begin pooping the party. Overall a third of our guests possess some skill in mummery; included in this are three of the five guards, who also between them as their most powerful magic possess: Flying, Fireball, Hypnosis, Mind Cloak and Hellfire.
The soiree is by now in full swing. Dawn holds court on a balcony, brought canapés and a few too many drinks by eager young gentlemen, Pent lurks nearby. Amelia and Mortimer mingle with the guests, looking, at least in part, for any with six fingers, and take the opportunity to speak with the Enforcers. It appears that we are from a "permitted plane". Braegon turns our designated room of retreat into the smoking den for aged and crusty gents, and Roke and Serendipity dance -- somewhat less expertly than the locals -- Roke suffers with an appearance of pleasure. Taking a break from enjoying Serendipity's company, Roke dances with a matron (with only slight mummery skills) who complains that standards have slipped since her day, and that several of the young ladies are in danger of acquiring a chill. She also tells how the Enforcers turn up at most major events though they are never invited.
[Exit some Elderly Guests, Enter some Younger Guests]
The Enforcers wall-flower in the ballroom. Dawn chats with her coterie of young men who tell how the Enforcers are the "fashion police", attending parties and reprimanding those whose aesthetics are too avant-garde. They enforce the standard and styles of society. One tells an amusing anecdote of having to return a hat that was too large by an inch.
Zanni tells Braegon that one of Il Capitano's contacts has arrived. Braegon attempts to clear the elderly gentlemen from the smoking room by opening windows and bringing in musicians and manages instead to make it the "party room". Dawn leads the enthusiastic party goers up to the roof and the remaining members of the Party manage a few minutes with the contact, Lord Bartello. Once the password has been given he tells how readings of the runes have been unsuccessful in locating "the fiddler", Brighella, and confirms that only two persons are believed to have left Dom Daniel. Somewhat as an aside he mentions critics, who are licensed and audited by Artistic Enforcement. A council (of critics?) sets the standards and advises Enforcement. Trends are apparently acceptable, except where they go against accepted standards; making a statement is dangerous.
The Party disperse and smoking is resumed in the room just as the Enforcers arrive to investigate. Braegon and Mortimer smoke, Lord Bartello snores. The Enforcers stare at us. Mortimer returns the stare through a magical monocle that is examined and returned. The Enforcers go up to the roof and instruct the musicians to play something more acceptable.
Pent discusses body guarding with some of the aristocrat's bodyguards. This appears to have become popular recently following a trend set by King Antelone. Also appears rather low risk by Alusian standards. Roke chats with one Fredericco, a hafling who arrived disguised as a human, who has apparently retired to a life of leisure after the difficult profession of having no job. Dawn discusses soirees and discovers that perhaps two a week is the norm with the rest of the time filled with various noble pursuits. She is also told that there are enough Enforcers to guard the palace, perhaps 50 to 100.
The party winds down, guests depart and Serendipity and Mortimer dance the last waltz, eye to eye, both floating off the floor.
[Exit Aristocratic Guests]
As the musicians pack up Serendipity discusses Alusian music with them and then signs Brighella's astrology reading. The musicians become furtive, claiming not to know it, and when pressed claim not to want to know it, and that it is dangerously out of fashion. They are however happy to learn an elven folk tune. Dawn annoys them with questions. Zanni tips them extra as they depart.
[Exit Musicians, Concierge, liveried staff and Zanni]
Party discuss happenings. Dawn, somewhat the worse for drink says of the musicians: "Hypocrites! ...they're the ones that don't eat horses". Serendipity determines to do another star reading, this time simply on "Who has left Dom Daniel" and receives an abbreviated form of the earlier "I remember sky" verses.
[Exeunt the Party to sleep]
Scene IX Freyasday 4th Frost. The top floor of the Grande Hotel, mid-morning.
Enter The Party and Zanni.
The Party are none the worse for wear after their revels of last night, save Serendipity who cloaks herself in clouds of darkness. The Party question Zanni about his knowledge of last night's guests. He knows many by reputation at least, and appears nervous once again as though he finds being questioned by the group stressful. Oddly, several large rugs -- previously on the floors in rooms are missing. There is speculation that they are either being cleaned or have been taken by mimes. Zanni is despatched to investigate.
[Exit Zanni]
There is general discussion on Proscenia, mimes, Il Capitano's motives, and Patch; our captive mime. We decide to release the mime and see if he will offer any useful information. Pent removes the hibernation spell.
[Enter Patch, transformed into a snake]
We foolishly attempt to use various "speak to animals" type abilities, forgetting that he is still essentially himself, simply cursed into the form of a snake. Communication goes badly and even after we begin using common we get little information. Mortimer removes the curse. Patch offers to communicate via charades, but after the Party's initial dismal attempts settles for a combination of writing and some gestures. He claims to have travelled to Alusia "to get to the other side", and that Il Capitano did not see him. He cannot or will not communicate certain things as they are "in breech of employer confidentiality". Patch appears unsure whether he is psychopathic or evil, but claims not to want to overthrow society, though he is none too keen on the current King. He doesn't want "to be our enemy... or not to be". He knows Zanni and (some gesture which your scribe believes may mean that he knew him when he was younger / growing up). He knows that Zanni's parents are gone, and appears saddened. He also agrees that Pedrolino is gone, and puts vertical lines between these suggesting that they are not the same person. Overall he is not terribly helpful. We ask him to take a message to his companions and he agrees. We write that we would like to seek common ground and look for mutual benefit. When we ask him how we might contact him he detaches an ear -- complete with earring -- and leave it with us. We release him.
[Exit Patch]
Roke uses locate to track Patch and then loses the location some time later and across town. We discuss returning to Proscenia city and thence exploring Calenture. This turns into a general discussion of astrology readings, mummery and Patch. Dawn desires to speak to the winds on the hotel roof, and in keeping with our policy of no-one being left alone, Roke accompanies her.
[Exit Dawn and Roke]
General discussion continues.
[Exeunt]
Scene X Freyasday 4th Frost. The Roof and Top Floor of the Grande Hotel, around noon.
[This scene requires an upper and lower stage. The upper represents the Roof of the hotel, the lower, the party's room on the top floor. It will be necessary to have mechanisms for opening a hole between the stages, and also to have actors fly on and off the top stage and also fall through it].
(upper stage)
[Upper stage only is lit]
Enter Dawn and Roke.
Dawn proceeds to begin ritual. Roke guards. Roke spots something in the distance. It resolves into six figures, dressed in black, out over the sea and riding the winds towards the rooftop. Roke moves to the roof edge to cry down to the party's balcony and sees black carriages parked in front of the hotel, with dark garbed figures mustering. Roke calls party to arms, Dawn interrupts her ritual.
[Dim lights]
(lower stage)
[Raise lights on The Party less Dawn and Roke]
Roke's call alerts the party who begin to prepare. There is a brief discussion with Braegon and Amelia as to whether we intend to resist arrest. They counsel a soft resistance. Braegon: "Don't kill them until they attack us".
Party withdraws to corner room, and prepares.
[Exit Pent to roof. Dim lights]
(upper stage)
[Raise lights on Dawn and Roke]
Roke prepares weapons.
[Enter Six Artistic Enforcers, flying]
Roke engages the newly arrived guards in conversation. They instruct him to "cease and desist", and tell him that if he doesn't come quietly he will be "resisting arrest". Roke drops his sword so that it dangles by its lanyard, and quickens himself and Dawn. He asks the guards in whose name they are making this arrest, but they do not reply.
[Dim lights]
(lower stage)
[Raise lights on Braegon, Serendipity, Amelia and Mortimer]
The members of the party still on the top floor continue to prepare. Amelia grabs packs. Mortimer blocks off access to the room with a wall of thorns and Braegon makes a goodly hole in the roof.
[Use mechanism to open a tunnel between the lower and upper stages, and raise lights on upper stage]
(upper stage)
[Already present Dawn, Roke and Artistic Enforcers]
Surprised perhaps by the appearance of the tunnel, one of the Artistic Enforcers impales Roke's leg with a spear.
[Enter Pent, running with javelin]
Pent retaliates by stabbing a guard.
(lower stage)
[Already present Braegon, Serendipity, Amelia and Mortimer]
Amelia throws packs onto roof, attempting to kill Pent with one of the heavier ones. Mortimer flies Amelia and other packs through the tunnel to the roof. Braegon flies himself, and Serendipity takes to the skies on wings, enshrouded in clouds of darkness.
[Exit Amelia, Mortimer and Braegon to upper stage, exit Serendipity into the flies. Dim lights on lower stage]
(upper stage)
[Already present The Party and Artistic Enforcers, less Serendipity]
A general melee ensues. Roke and Pent fight with two Enforcers. The others, who are mages, hang back and cast. Amelia prepares weapons, Mortimer flies to far left of roof to get behind Enforcer mages. Dawn becomes caught in Hands of Earth. The party is still unsure as to the level of resistance to be offered and take their cue from the actions of the Enforcers. The Enforcer mages use Lightning Bolt and Hellfire on the party. Taking their cue from the "subdual" magics of the Enforcers the party responds in kind. Mortimer casts Hellfire back.
[Enter and exit Serendipity flying]
Serendipity makes a strafing pass on wings and hits several with a Blackfire. After careful consultation with our military leader, Braegon tunnels the roof again, dropping the two "warrior" Enforcers down several stories, and Roke, now unengaged, uses an item to cast Necrosis on the remainder.
[Exit Two Enforcers through the stage, Three Enforcers crumple to the floor]
The remaining Enforcer, who had cast the Lightning Bolt, attempts to run for the edge of the building and as he dives off Mortimer curses him.
[Exit Last Enforcer, blinded]
The party takes rapid stock of their situation. Braegon breaks Dawn out of her Hand of Earth. Mortimer checks on the fallen Enforcers. Unfortunately our vigourous soft resistance and use of similar subduing magics appears to have been too much for one of the Enforcers who expires despite your scribe's best efforts. The party grab scattered equipment, and leave on wings, winds, flying armour and a magic carpet. We take with us the only loot of the mission so far, an Enforcer's spear still stuck through Roke's leg.
[Exeunt]
Scene XI Freyasday 4th Frost. Open countryside some 15 miles from Upton-on-Sea, an hour after noon.
Enter The Party on wings, winds and divers flying mechanisms.
The party land in hills a distance from Upton-on-Sea and stop for very late "elevenses"; Tea and Trollskins. We engage in a discussion as to who set the guards on us, imbibe many restoratives, cast various magics --including, cunningly, Walking Unseen as this will render us visible to each at close range, but should render us invisible to distant observers. We depart back towards Proscenia city and our employer.
[Exeunt Omnes]
End of Act III
Act IV - Proscenia City: Alarums and Excursions
Scene I Freyasday 4th Frost. Open countryside, half way back to Proscenia city, around dusk.
Enter The Party on wings, winds and divers flying mechanisms.
We stop en-route for dinner and divinatory magics. Dawn attempts an astrology reading of "Who instigated the arrest attempt on us?", and receives a musical answer, " I see a little silhouetto of a man, Scaramouch, scaramouch will you do the fandango...". The similarity of the name in the reading and that of the current captain of the Artistic Enforcers fails to surprise anyone. Mortimer attempts an astrology reading of "The intentions and motivations of the former King's minstrel; Brighella", but gets no answer. We dine and depart.
[Exeunt Omnes]
[Offstage, an interlude]
A few minutes flight out of Proscenia city we stop to recast flying and unseens and to cast Quickness, and then depart for Il Capitano's house.
Scene II Freyasday 4th Frost. Il Capitano's house, roof and upper stories, near midnight.
Enter The Party on wings, winds and divers flying mechanisms, land on Il Capitano's roof.
The party lands on Il Capitano's roof and effects entry. We sleathily make our way through the house, save for Serendipity, who in a moment of light comedic relief, and despite the fact that she floats to move, manages to find any number of ways to make noise. Roke, having previously located both Il Capitano and Zanni indicates a room in the house and we move to it. We knock and enter and greet Il Capitano. Zanni appears quite surprised to see us. In the room there is another man, dressed in black. He is introduced to us by Il Capitano as Scaramouch! (DAs reveal that he is a Mind Mage and much skilled with a Spell of Truth). At Il Capitano's "suggestion" we decide to go downstairs to the kitchen and see if the cook can provide a later supper. We depart.
[Exeunt]
Scene III Freyasday 4th Frost. The kitchen of Il Capitano's house, around midnight
Enter The Party, already present, A Cook and Two Artistic Enforcers.
We enter the kitchen to find the Cook and two black clad Enforcers. Roke enquires after the location of a garderobe and excuses himself.
[Exit Roke]
Braegon checks for the most recent hostile magics to affect the Enforcers (Mental Attack and Wall of Light), and we sit, eat and engage them in light conversation. One of them begins questioning Dawn as to where she comes from and unsatisfied with her answers becomes hostile and threatening.
[Exit The Cook, quietly]
When Dawn truthfully tells him that she hails from Stonesboro, he stabs her in the arm with a fork! Despite this unprovoked attack the party remain calm. He then tells her that we are all under arrest, and when asked for the charges responds, "back-chat for one". The man is clearly unbalanced. He tells the party to stay put and goes upstairs to inform his captain. Serendipity steps into the scullery and becoming a cat curls up out of the way.
[Exit mad Enforcer, and then Serendipity]
[Offstage, a private interlude]
In the garderobe Roke casts a Wizard's face to spy upon Il Capitano and Scaramouch's conversation, using that small room for voyeuristic privacy. Il Capitano and Scaramouch are discussing hemlines, although this appear to be a code for political alliances of some sort. The mad Enforcer enters the room and has a brief, whispered discussion with Scaramouch, who tells him to "take them all in". He leaves the room and Roke begins to try and Sleep him.
Scene III continued The kitchen of Il Capitano's house, a few minutes later.
In the interim the party have a cast a spell or two, much to the discomfort of the remaining Enforcer who appears a pleasant enough though somewhat nervous type. Braegon has been telling him how much trouble he and his partner will be in for harassing Il Capitano's guests.
[Re-enter mad Enforcer]
The mad man returns and has time for one good exclamation along the lines of "you're all coming with me", before crashing insensate to the table. His companion appears quite put out by this and insists that we aid him in getting the mad Enforcer into a carriage and accompanying him to the gaol. We agree, and moments later he joins his partner on the floor. Now faced with the need to conceal the slept and hibernated bodies of two Enforcers, Mortimer uses curses to turn the mad Enforcer into a pot, and his companion into a soup ladle and then conceals them in the scullery. The curse allows for them to be released should they be used to serve minestrone to royalty.
[Enter Servette]
A maid of Il Capitano's appears and tells us that she is to accompany us, although she appears uncertain as to where that should be. We ask her for a tour of the cellar. She is agreeable to this.
[Exeunt Omnes]
Scene IV Freyasday 4th Frost. The cellar of Il Capitano's house, after midnight.
Enter Servette and The Party, except Serendipity.
We examine Il Capitano's cellar, and a fine cellar it is indeed. Braegon decides however that the one thing it is missing is a fortified bunker and begins building one, leading off one side of the cellar via a small tunnel and heading towards the alleys behind the house. We enter and examine the bunker and await events. Dawn, nervous about confinement underground soothes herself to sleep. Roke continues to use a wizard's face to eavesdrop on Il Capitano and Scaramouch from the neighbouring room, and to occasionally check the environs. Roke apprises Serendipity (still in cat form and in the scullery) of events. Several of Il Capitano's servants suddenly have to visit sick relatives.
[Offstage]
Il Capitano and Scaramouch talk more openly of alliances. Scaramouch exclaims: "Look at the time, I must be going". Chanting begins in the room.
[Onstage]
Roke's Locate on Il Capitano changes to a SSE direction and a check of range shows 82 miles, placing it well outside an populous area. Roke notices black clad figures beginning to surround Il Capitano's house. Roke tells Serendipity to re-join the party and prepares Quickness. Braegon opens a tunnel at the back of the bunker. Suddenly tunnelings open up under Il Capitano's house, uncovering the cellar but not the bunker. Servette screams. Amelia assaults her. This all fails to wake Dawn.
[Enter A score of Artistic Enforcers from all directions, and Serendipity running]
As Serendipity hurries to re-join the group, the guards open fire with crossbows and spells. Serendipity manages to resist several spells but is wounded in the leg by a poisoned quarrel. A wall of fire appears in the cellar and two guards leap from street level, one stumbles and falls into the wall. Serendipity leaps through the small tunnel into the bunker and Pent seals the crawlspace with a plug of ice. Mortimer darkens the bunker and some of the cellar as more guards begin leaping into the cellar from street level. As the party hurry down Braegon's escape route an Earth Elemental breaks through the floor into the bunker. Servette screams. Amelia assaults her again.
Braegon carries the still senseless Dawn into the new tunnel. Dawn does begin to become aware of her situation -- sealed underground -- and this gives her pause. With the party now clear of the bunker, Mortimer raises the light level in the area to totally lit. A moment later several of the party are thrown the length of the tunnel by a telekinetic rage spell, slamming into each other and the far wall. Servette screams and collapses.
At the end of the tunnel Braegon opens a new route at 90 degrees, and at the back of the group Serendipity drops a gold ball. Amelia runs for it. Suddenly a new pit opens up and the house of Il Capitano's neighbour collapses into it in spectacular style.
[Exit Earth Elemental]
As the party runs into the new tunnel fire flashes past, and a tunneling appears at the far end. Guards leap into this as other run down the tunnel behind us, and then pull up nervously as they come face to face with Amelia and Serendipity. Braegon prepares a counterspell -- to some disbelief from various party members. Roke prevents Dawn from doing anything stupid. The party moves close to Braegon, Amelia tumbles Servette out into our first tunnel, where she is killed by the guards. Braegon counters his tunneling and the world goes away.
[Exeunt]
End of Act IV
