Diablotin 3 session 16

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Session

Session date: June 14, 2015

Diablotin date: 3rd of First-month

Prologue

<DiablotinNarrator> The city is in an uproar over the recent occurrences at Titania's cabaret. Sightings of the mysterious Cold Rider are reported all over town, most of which turn out to in fact be unfounded imagination or cases of mistaken identity. <DiablotinNarrator> Whether this is related or not, the weather has taken a distinctly frosty turn. The night after the attack, a fierce ice storm hits the city, knocking out power lines in many areas and making it generally difficult to get around. <DiablotinNarrator> Even after the storm itself has passed, the weather remains icy cold - but then it's First-month, and surely that's normal... <Zola> >_>

Dorien, Argent, Denise and Gen are attacked early one morning

<DiablotinNarrator> Gen, you are still staying at Dorien and Argent's apartment

<DiablotinNarrator> (much as I'm sure this pains you :)

• Genevriel tries to find free places to go spend most of her time when not working in because she is sure she must be driving Argent and Dorien nuts.
• Dorien tries to assure her she is not.

<DiablotinNarrator> Misery is also staying over there a fair amount, I imagine...

<Dorien> ("Staying over")

<DiablotinNarrator> (well yes)

<DiablotinNarrator> Denise, you're over at their place hanging out as well - this is fairly early in the morning, after work has let out, but before people are quite ready to sleep yet, probably just before dawn-ish.

• Denise will offer to make "dinner" for folks ;3
• Dorien will always accept food.
• Argent will help
• Dorien will provide ingredients from the market
• Misery will recuperate on the couch ;p
• Genevriel will also help, because she tries to help as much as possible in order to pay you guys back for letting her stay there.

<Denise> (I am going to assume that Hettie has Nycki over and that's why I'm hanging out here ;)

<DiablotinNarrator> (that... seems likely ;)

• Genevriel will check on Misery periodically.
• Dorien will check out Misery periodically
• Denise seems pretty used to making foor for large amounts of people, and with improvising with what ingredients are on hand

<DiablotinNarrator> You guys are going about your business, then, and you can all make Perception checks.

<Argent> !roll 1d20+17

• Zola rolls for Argent: [ 1d20+17 ] getting [ 12 ] which, after the modifier [ 17 ] totals [ 29 ].

<Dorien> !roll 1d20+10

• Zola rolls for Dorien: [ 1d20+10 ] getting [ 1 ] which, after the modifier [ 10 ] totals [ 11 ].

<Argent> (29)

<Genevriel> !roll 1d20+2

• Zola rolls for Genevriel: [ 1d20+2 ] getting [ 17 ] which, after the modifier [ 2 ] totals [ 19 ].

<DiablotinNarrator> Dorien was distracted by boobs.

<Dorien> (Dorien is busy checking out Misery)

<Denise> !roll 1d20+6

• Zola rolls for Denise: [ 1d20+6 ] getting [ 6 ] which, after the modifier [ 6 ] totals [ 12 ].
• Denise is distracted by cooking and also being inside

<Denise> (in the kitchen)

<DiablotinNarrator> Okay, well, Argent, you hear it first. There's a strange noise coming from outside - faint music, and something like skittering feet that suddenly are moving around on your roof.

<DiablotinNarrator> Maybe it's ice shifting, but you don't think so.

<DiablotinNarrator> Gen, you also hear it shortly after.

<DiablotinNarrator> The rest of you are oblivious for now :)

<Argent> Quiet

<Dorien> Huh, what?

<Genevriel> Do you hear that?

• Argent says in a firm but hushed tone

<Genevriel> Something on the roof.

• Denise turns off the pan
• Argent will move closer to a window to get a better gauge of it

<Dorien> Uhhhhh...

<Dorien> I don't hear anything.

• Genevriel goes out to the living room to protect Misery if need be.

<DiablotinNarrator> Argent, as you look out the window, you see something flutter past

• Denise heads over to a window

<DiablotinNarrator> it looks like a large bug or moth or something, but it's far too cold for insects

<Genevriel> There's something on the roof.

• Genevriel informs Misery quietly.

<Argent> (no more noise from the roof?... if not I open the window to peer upward)

• Dorien gets his gat.

<Genevriel> And music playing, so it's probably not just a stray cat.

<Denise> (is there a way up onto the roof?)

<DiablotinNarrator> Those of you looking out windows can see some things moving in the street below. With the window open, the music sounds louder, clearer - it's like a high-pitched fiddle

<Argent> (can I make out the things?)

<DiablotinNarrator> they're quite small, about the size of a rat or a cat or something, but more insect-like, and they fly

<Denise> ...

<Argent> That aint right... im going down.

• Denise will grab her coat

<Denise> yeah

<Dorien> Wazit..

<Dorien> Wait

<Dorien> Does anyone else think that's maybe a *bad* idea?

<DiablotinNarrator> Denise - you don't know if there's a way up to the roof, but you guys are on the upper floor at the moment

• Argent will grab his gun/sword belt on his way out the door (and a coat)

<DiablotinNarrator> in theory you could try and climb up there but it's pretty icy @_@

<Denise> (yeah, I'll go down >.>)

• Misery is inclined to stay inside...

<Dorien> Oh for fuck sake, people...

<Denise> If there's stuff causin' truble out there for folks - someone's gotta do somethin'

• Dorien will sigh and follow people out.

<Denise> You don't gotta come

<Dorien> There's no law against fiddle playing bugs.

<Misery> well if everyone is going out, I'll go too...

• Misery says a bit reluctantly

<Genevriel> I was planning to stay in here with you, since you were the target of a fairy attack earlier this week.

• Dorien looks at Misery hesitantly.

<Dorien> You sure?

<Misery> Yeah.

• Denise doesn't wait for them to deliberate

<Argent> (is there a way on to the roof in this building? A fire escape?)

<Genevriel> Not that I can do much in a fight without my gun.

• Denise is going down to the street

<Dorien> Well, at least stay up here on the steps with me.

<Misery> okay

<DiablotinNarrator> (okay, switching to roll20 so we can see where things are at)

• Denise will activate her armor on the way out >.>
• Genevriel will try to determine what these things want before attacking them, unless they attack immediately.

They're ambushed by little frost faeries bearing swords and bows, and have the worst luck fighting them. Then a somewhat larger faerie with an icicle beard, a hammer, and a chisel shows up. He manages to curse Denise into living ice before he is killed.

• Genevriel skate-walks across to Denise and will do a Heal check

<Genevriel> !roll 1d20+11

• Zola rolls for Genevriel: [ 1d20+11 ] getting [ 12 ] which, after the modifier [ 11 ] totals [ 23 ].

<Dorien> (Julie, how likely is it the police will show up, and if so that they'll want to search the apartment?)

<DiablotinNarrator> hahahah police.

<DiablotinNarrator> unlikely

<DiablotinNarrator> unless you're calling them

<Dorien> (Fair enough :) )

<Dorien> (...No.)

Hettie receives an anonymous warning about Nycki

<DiablotinNarrator> Hettie, you're getting ready to leave from work, and expecting to meet up with Nycki, so Denise is kindly clearing out to give you guys some privacy ;)

<DiablotinNarrator> As you're putting on your coat, you feel something in the pocket

<Hettienne> Eh?

• Hettienne pulls it out.

<DiablotinNarrator> It's a note

<DiablotinNarrator> Typewritten, not signed

• Hettienne reads it...

<DiablotinNarrator> "Once a traitor, always a traitor. Think twice before you get into bed with someone who backstabbed you before."

• Hettienne feels an unpleasant twisting sensation in her gut...

<Hettienne> (are our coats just hanging around backstage, or in the coat check?)

<DiablotinNarrator> (I imagine that you performers and staff leave them backstage)

• Hettienne gives the note a good sniff.

<DiablotinNarrator> you can roll Scent

<Hettienne> !roll 1d20+8

• Zola rolls for Hettienne: [ 1d20+8 ] getting [ 8 ] which, after the modifier [ 8 ] totals [ 16 ].

<DiablotinNarrator> A little bit like ... sawdust, maybe? but nothing really distinctive

<Hettienne> (anyone hanging around atm?)

<DiablotinNarrator> Some of the cast are still getting ready to leave, yeah. We could say Zola is nearby, plus a few dancers.

<Hettienne> Hey girls...

<Hettienne> Anyone see someone fuckin' with my coat?

• Zola usually smells like assorted perfumes, not sawdust.
• Zola looks up from where she's reviewing her faerie notes over some fruity alcoholic beverage

<Hettienne> (I'm also gonna roll appraise to see if it's like, expensive paper with a watermark or something)

<Zola> Huh? No... did someone steal something?

<Hettienne> Someone left me a shitty little bitch note.

• Hettienne says with a sour look.

<Hettienne> !roll 1d20+9

• Zola rolls for Hettienne: [ 1d20+9 ] getting [ 7 ] which, after the modifier [ 9 ] totals [ 16 ].

<Hettienne> (mehhh)

<Zola> Lydienne?

<Hettienne> (hwo is that? >.>)

<Zola> (The really catty singer)

• Hettienne scowls..

<Hettienne> Don't think this is her... unless you saw somethin'?

<DiablotinNarrator> The other dancers and musicians and such just shake their heads and didn't see anything

<Zola> No, I've been making sure I've got everything together to tell Tits about the... you know...

• Zola tries to think of a suitable euphemism...

<Zola> The fey stuff

• Hettienne sniffs the note again.

<Hettienne> Who smells like sawdust 'round here...?

• Zola gives her a confused look

<Zola> Someone working on set construction maybe?

<Hettienne> Huh...

<Hettienne> (what house are Mylas and Julian)

<Hettienne> (if I know)

<Hettienne> Thanks, Z.

<DiablotinNarrator> Julian is nothing in particular, Mylas is Bear.

<Zola> (Julian is categoried as Houseless)

• Hettienne heads over to wherever they work...

<DiablotinNarrator> Basement, probably

<Hettienne> (ok)

<DiablotinNarrator> You can track down Mylas, anyway.

<DiablotinNarrator> Julian isn't around

<DiablotinNarrator> You know Mylas better anyway)

• Hettienne leans in the door to the wood shop.

<Mylas> oh hey, Hettie

<Mylas> what's up?

• Mylas is just cleaning up some things, getting ready to go home
• Hettienne pulls the paper back out of her pocket?

<Hettienne> This you?

• Hettienne asks, looking unimpressed.
• Mylas looks at it, puzzled

<Mylas> What's that?

<Hettienne> (sense motiiiive)

<DiablotinNarrator> ('k, you can roll)

<Hettienne> !roll 1d20+8

• Zola rolls for Hettienne: [ 1d20+8 ] getting [ 12 ] which, after the modifier [ 8 ] totals [ 20 ].

<Hettienne> !roll 1d20+8

• Zola rolls for Hettienne: [ 1d20+8 ] getting [ 12 ] which, after the modifier [ 8 ] totals [ 20 ].

<Hettienne> (20 it is...)

<DiablotinNarrator> You don't think he's seen it before, seems genuinely confused.

<Hettienne> Ugh, some yellow fuck left it for me.

<Hettienne> Smelled like your shop but... not really your style I guess.

<Hettienne> Where's Julian?

<Mylas> What kinda style is it?

<Mylas> He left a little while back - probably home by now, I guess?

<Hettienne> Style of someone poking their nose where it don't belong.

<Mylas> You want me to track him down?

<Hettienne> If you know where he's at... I sure wouldn't mind askin' him what's up?

<Mylas> well, like I said, probably went home

<Mylas> if he ain't there, I dunno

• Mylas can give you his address anyway, though

<Hettienne> Aw, I ain't gonna follow 'im home.

<DiablotinNarrator> It's across the river, in the Place D'Iena - and you were supposed to be meeting Nycki at your place, so .. up to you where you want to go.

<Hettienne> Tell 'im tomorrow I wanted t'see him I guess.

<Mylas> Okay, will do.

<Hettienne> Thanks.

<Mylas> have a good night, Hettie

<Hettienne> You too...

<Hettienne> . o O (I'll try :|)

• Hettienne heads home herself, then.
• Nycki is waiting for you there

<Hettienne> (inside?)

<DiablotinNarrator> did you give her a key?

<DiablotinNarrator> she won't break in if you didn't ;)

<Hettienne> (I guess I could have yeah)

<DiablotinNarrator> otherwise she can be waiting in her car

<Hettienne> (if she gave me one >.>)

<DiablotinNarrator> (sure :)

<DiablotinNarrator> (exchange of keys - trust!)

<Hettienne> (heh)

<Denise_> (WAT :V)

<Hettienne> Hey babe...

<Nycki> hey there :)

• Nycki will give you a kiss
• Hettienne kisses you back before chucking her purse on the sofa.

<Hettienne> How's tricks?

<Nycki> well, everyone's flipping out over this thing at the club

<Nycki> I been in meetings all day, feels like

<Hettienne> Yeah.. people are freaked at Tits', too.

<Nycki> I bet

<Nycki> how're you holdin' up?

<Hettienne> Well, I'm hard to rattle.

<Hettienne> Some of the girls are skittish though, have to listen to them wailing an' shit...

<Nycki> ugh

<Hettienne> It's tiring :p

<Nycki> oh hey, I got somethin' for you

<Hettienne> OH?

<Hettienne> (-caps)

• Nycki goes digging in her bag

<Nycki> yeah, well, they're handin' these out like candy, an' I figured you could use 'em

• Nycki offers you a box with some bullets inside

<Hettienne> I like candy...

<Nycki> Cold iron - suppposed to fuck up fey real good.

<Hettienne> Oooh.

<Hettienne> Mama like. :D

• Hettienne gives you a big kiss.
• Nycki grins

<Nycki> now comeon, let's get to bed ^-^

<Hettienne> Just one thing..

<Nycki> yeah?

<Hettienne> You know who mighta wanted to leave me this?

• Hettienne shows you the note
• Nycki peers at it, frowning

<Nycki> Maybe Tatiane's feelin' bitter?

• Nycki guesses

<Hettienne> (seeense mooootiveeeee)

<Hettienne> !roll 1d20+8

• Zola rolls for Hettienne: [ 1d20+8 ] getting [ 2 ] which, after the modifier [ 8 ] totals [ 10 ].

<Hettienne> !roll 1d20+8

• Zola rolls for Hettienne: [ 1d20+8 ] getting [ 12 ] which, after the modifier [ 8 ] totals [ 20 ].

<Hettienne> (i'll take the 20 >.>)

• Nycki seems to feel like that's most likely

<Hettienne> Does she know about what happened before...?

<Hettienne> I gotta admit I considered doin' the same thing to her before I decided to come see you instead. ;)

<Nycki> she might >.>

<Hettienne> Smelled like sawdust or wood chips or somethin... But she could had someone else do it.

<Hettienne> She got people at Tits what you know of?

<Nycki> Not that I know off the top of my head, but I can look into it

• Hettienne nods.

<Hettienne> Right... So we were about to go somewhere, wasn't we? ;)

<Nycki> yeah, we were headin' to bed :)

<Hettienne> Good memory...

• Hettienne kisses you and leads you towards the stairs...
• Nycki will gladly go with you

Zola, Aubrienne, Lathra, and Hugo have an Imperial audience

• Titania will gather you folks together in preparation for this meeting
• Zola has put on something suitable for meeting the Emperor @_@
• Aubrienne has likewise dressed her best for this meeting.

<Zola> I suppose we oughtta call you Titania in front of your father.

<Lathra> <w> To Aubrienne: I do hope this means that the palace will be dealing with this. I could use an evening off!

<Aubrienne> <w> Here's hoping.

<Aubrienne> <w> Though, after two attacks on the club, I'm a little worried about too many evenings off.

• Titania will bring you to the palace, and some guards will escort you to the chamber where you'll be meeting
• Marl is present, along with Fredericia (the Warlord), Princess Ilphere, and Reverend Mother Alma

<DiablotinNarrator> (I'll assume people do some appropriate bowing and such ;)

• Zola does her best >_>
• Aubrienne is ludicrously respectful. ;)
• Zola hopes there's a nice table to sit at rather than standing around being stared at.

<DiablotinNarrator> The room has a large table, yes - like a conference room sort of thing. And there are pastries and tea.

<DiablotinNarrator> (There is also probably a secretary type to take notes, but I don't need to play them ;)

• Aubrienne nervously sips tea.
• Titania introduces those who aren't already known to one another

<Titania> (Hugo at least has met all of these people before, I expect)

• RM_Alma returns your greetings politely and then proceeds to not so subtly take the measure of you as she sips her own tea.
• Ilphere helps herself to snacks

<Marl> Well, let's get down to business.

<Marl> I understand that you have some information concerning the recent fey ... disruptions that have been taking place.

• Zola looks to the others to see who's inclined to take the lead

<Aubrienne> (What's the proper form of address here?)

• Ilphere looks eager and interested, peering at you all over rose-coloured glasses
• Lathra is feeling very conspicuous and tries to sink into her chair
• RM_Alma is dressed in rather unshowy purple robes of the Order of the Owl, though there are likely some adornments befitting her rank.

<DiablotinNarrator> (Your Majesty)

• Marl is grey-haired and stern-looking, with a narrow face, thin lips, and piercing green eyes.

<Aubrienne> Yes, your majesty, we've become involved in an investigation of the...disruptions and their origins.

<Marl> I see.

<Aubrienne> Given our proximity to one of the earlier ones, our interest has progressed rather organically.

<Marl> I gather that you've already explained much of this to my daughter, but perhaps, for the sake of those assembled here, you could summarize what you've been able to learn.

• RM_Alma 's own evaluating gaze does linger just a bit longer on Lathra than the others... but what she sees there isn't clear from her face.

<Ilphere> OOh yes, please do...!

<Aubrienne> I believe we can offer that, yes.

<Aubrienne> Essentially, at least one faction of the fey bears the Empire some manner of ill-will, possibly stemming from events during the war with Psyra.

<Aubrienne> It is possible that portions of their world are...aligning with our own, thinning the barrier between somehow, though it's unclear if this is part of their plan, a byproduct, or coincidence.

• Aubrienne will look to the others for support.

<Ilphere> WHat events would those be, specifically...?

• Zola doesn't know anything about this part @_@
• Ilphere idly feeds a bit of crust to the large black bird perched on the back of her chair.

<Aubrienne> The battle at Seda Grove, specifically, may have damaged or destroyed a sort of gateway to their world. We're given to understand some of those stationed their might have had some form of interaction with the fey, if unwittingly.

<Ilphere> Some form...?

<Aubrienne> Dreams, visions, voices...things that might have been written off to battle fatigue or somesuch.

<Lathra> There seem to have been rather a lot of people having similar fey-related dreams. People who are sensitive to interesting dreams or visions, and people who were at Seda Grove at the time of the battle.

<Ilphere> Hmmm, yes.

<Ilphere> I have been aware of that...

<RM_Alma> An affliction then, in response to the events at Seda Grove?

<Ilphere> Do you have a list of names...?

<Ilphere> I wonder if the fey could be reached through these dreams... Perhaps we could parlay...? Oh, how exciting...!

<Marl> We can certainly produce a list of those who were involved in the incident at Seda Grove.

• Marl says to Fred, who nods

<Fredericia> Just the ones who are still alive?

<Lathra> I... hm. I could ask my sources if they'd be willing to share their names? I haven't explicitly.

<Marl> Two lists, then.

<Aubrienne> Your majesty, if I may, I'm not entirely sure how much help all these people can be. They've been suffering, some for quite a while.

<Ilphere> We could cross reference them with those having the visions... They might have the strongest connectin...!

• Ilphere seems really into this idea.

<Ilphere> (connection)

<Ilphere> All they have to do is sleep... @_@

<Marl> It may be worth seeing if there have been further unexpected deaths since that encounter.

<Marl> among those who were present

<Aubrienne> Sleep hasn't been the easiest thing for them.

<Marl> Perhaps Byram Dyess was not the only one

• Aubrienne says apologetically.

<Ilphere> Hm, well... that can be remedied... Hmmm...

• Ilphere taps her lips with a pen.

<RM_Alma> How easy would it be to ascertain if the dreams are coming from the fey, Princess?

<Ilphere> Mmmmm....

<Ilphere> Oh yes, quite doable... !

• Ilphere nods eagerly.
• RM_Alma looks to Aubrienne. "You suggest a thinning of the barrier between the First World and our own, or perhaps a planar alignment, what have you seen that points to this?"
• Zola smiles prettily and tries not to look out of place.

<Aubrienne> A site in the Shade seems to be experiencing some strange phenomena possibly related to these incidents. Massively increased plant growth, strange flora, and possibly the presence of the fey.

<RM_Alma> Possibly?

<Ilphere> Strange flora...?

<Ilphere> Describe the flora...!

<Aubrienne> A small humanoid was encountered, but we were unable to interact with it.

<Ilphere> Ooh..!

<Aubrienne> Trees that, while otherwise normal, grew overnight.

<Ilphere> Could you draw a picture...?

<Aubrienne> Giant mushrooms with a variety of dangerous effects.

<Aubrienne> They seemed to have overcome their tender, and I doubt they were their intentionally, or, at least, not all of them.

<Ilphere> Giant mushrooms...! How delightful..!

<Aubrienne> Unfortunately, no, but I might be able to get one for you.

<Ilphere> A small humanoid...?

<Aubrienne> A picture, I mean.

<Lathra> There was an audible whisper in the trees, as well, in a foreign language...

<Ilphere> Oh... :/

<Aubrienne> We also have some samples.

<RM_Alma> Oh?

<Aubrienne> Oh, yes, thank you, Lathra.

<RM_Alma> The trees could communicate?

<Ilphere> Did anyone make a recording...?

<Ilphere> Oh I should love to hear it...!

<Ilphere> Where was this, precisely...?

<Lathra> I don't know what caused it, but... it was like the breeze was saying a phrase, over and over, as it rustled through the leaves. It was very distinct, very unnerving.

<RM_Alma> Hmm...

<Marl> What was the phrase?

<Lathra> I cast comprehend languages - it translated as "life comes from death, we rise again"

<Ilphere> Oh how wonderfully peculiar...!

<Marl> I'm given to understand that in the most recent incident, the Shadar-kai seemed to be specifically targeted.

• Lathra smiles nervously.

<Marl> Do you think that the fact that this growth is taking place in the Shade is also connected to their presence?

<Marl> If at least one individual has been killed there...

<Lathra> Oh yes... I can attest to being... picked out.

<Ilphere> Oh, hm, whyever would they do that.

<Fredericia> We'll increase patrols in the Shade.

<Aubrienne> Connected to the shadar-kai's presence, your majesty? I'm not really sure.

<Zola> We thought that perhaps because they're distantly related to they fey, they... might have been required to open the portal... Your Majesty.

<Lathra> Well, I rather think it was part of the blood ritual they were doing, dear. They summonded a deer-man with our blood.

<Aubrienne> This targeting of the shadar-kai specifically is a rather new development in this whole mess.

<Ilphere> Describe the deer...?

<Aubrienne> I believe it's called a 'cold rider.' Some sort of wintry knight, with antlers.

<Lathra> Well, he was a man with antlers - on his head, of course - who made ice.

<Lathra> He was very tall, too.

• RM_Alma jots down some notes.

<Ilphere> Fascinating...!

<Aubrienne> And, so far as we could tell, rather resistant to injury.

<Aubrienne> With a bit of a flair for the dramatic.

• RM_Alma quirks a brow

<Aubrienne> "Let the winter's night begin," was it?

<Aubrienne> He said that as he left.

<Ilphere> Hmmmm

<RM_Alma> Can you tell us more about the entity which attacked you?

<Aubrienne> I think Lathra's description was pretty accurate.

<Aubrienne> A tall man, antlered, covered in ice. He rode off on some sort of summoned mount when he left the cabaret.

<Aubrienne> He wasn't particularly inclined to converse.

<Lathra> Or do you mean the other one?

<RM_Alma> Yes, I did, dear :)

<Lathra> Well! The most notable thing about it was that I couldn't see it.

<Aubrienne> Oh, the invisible one.

<Lathra> It was right there in front of me, I could detect it, don't you know? But I couldn't see a thing.

<Lathra> I should have hit it with my glass, but it would have been such a waste.

<RM_Alma> What did you detect?

<Lathra> I detected Evil. Well, and then I detected a sharp pain in the abdomen.

• Aubrienne stifles a laugh.
• Ilphere laughs behind a hand

<Lathra> It was really too much.

• Lathra crooks a tiny smile.

<Aubrienne> It had a distinct odor, as well. Like a lightning storm.

<RM_Alma> Oh...?

• RM_Alma jots that down as well

<RM_Alma> And there was mention of poison, if I recall.

<Ilphere> Curious..>!

<Titania> One of my bartenders was able to treat the poison. I can ask her if she knows any more about what it was, precisely.

<RM_Alma> Good, good. It might help to identify the entity.

<RM_Alma> Now, the Cold Rider aside, what makes you think their more immediate origins extraplanar, rather than the result of more... uh, native forces from Seda Grove?

<Aubrienne> The invisible attacker? It's entirely possible they weren't themselves fey.

<Aubrienne> We really don't know.

<RM_Alma> And the tree, with the overrun mushroom farm, could be the result of someone or something from Psyra, perhaps?

<Marl> It's not the first time an entity that proved difficult or impossible to see has associated with them, though

• Marl says with a glance to his daughter, who nods a bit reluctantly

<Aubrienne> It's certainly possible.

<Marl> And whoever did those wards for you should be giving you a refund.

• RM_Alma chuckles at that.

<Marl> If you insist on remaining open, we'll have the wards and so forth checked - perhaps there's something that was overlooked.

<Lathra> Yes, that's what *I've* been saying!

<Aubrienne> Though, in parsing possibilities, 'fey' and 'someone from Psyra' aren't mutually exclusive categories.

<Aubrienne> The gateway or portal site at Seda Grove, obviously, was in Psyra. Someone can hate us for more than one reason.

<Ilphere> ooh yes, that's a point...!

<Marl> Yes, people are so multifaceted.

<Ilphere> The servants of Vrag that were left behind...

<Marl> I suppose fey people must be as well.

<Ilphere> Come of them could have joined themselves with Psyrene fey...!

<Ilphere> (Some)

<Aubrienne> (hee)

<Ilphere> With the arch here, as well as the seat of their enemies...?

• Ilphere thinks...

<Ilphere> Well, it's a thought...!

<Ilphere> Oh I should very much like to see these dreams.

• RM_Alma eyes Zola and Hugo who have been rather quiet.

<DiablotinNarrator> (Hugo is still hiding out in the storage room, sorry :/)

• Zola smiles :)

<Lathra> Well... I *will* ask around my parishioners and patrons. Perhaps somebody affected would be willing.

<Ilphere> That would be *smashing*...!

<Lathra> Some of them are rather sick - maybe an offer of assistance with their healthcare would be a good incentive?

<Ilphere> Oh certainly, certainly...

• Ilphere waves her hand dismissively.

<RM_Alma> Certainly his Majesty can rely on the Church to help show his gratitude for any assistance provided to safeguard the Empire's security.

<Lathra> Well then, I'll put it to some of those affected.

<Hugonel> Your Majesty, there is something else that may be related to all of this.

• Hugonel eyes Zola to make sure she's not about to cut him off.
• Zola nods
• Marl turns his attention to Hugo

<Hugonel> The night that the Count of Radstock was killed, as you may know, there was a Psyrene singer named Eirini involved in some way. She has now disappeared and to my knowledge not sighted since that time.

<Hugonel> She ... exercised some sort of influence over me that night, I believe, although for what reason, I cannot say.

<Zola> That's what brought us into looking into the events, actually... her disappearance and odd behaviour.

• Hugonel nods.

<Hugonel> A few weeks later I was at another event where another red-headed woman - in this case, Klara Dannan, the music critic, was talking with the now-late M. Luc Berthillon.

<Hugonel> M. Berthillon was speaking of a woman, his 'songbird', which was the same epithet that this Eirini used.

<Hugonel> A few weeks after that, he was dead as well, mysteriously.

<Zola> And conspicuously.

<Hugonel> After his funeral, Zola and I were invited to a very unusual party - not a wake, exactly, but a dinner at Mlle Dannan's house.

<Hugonel> There, we drank some very unusual wine whose narcotic effects were almost immediate and powerful.

<Hugonel> And once we were in this slight stupor, the gathered group began to act oddly and speak of odd things.

<Hugonel> Mlle. Dannan toasted “To those who can't be with us tonight. From the exiles, to the missing and the dead.”

<Hugonel> And another guest, the winemaker Jaida Misain - well, she ... scratched me?

• Zola nods. "Shredded his lovely shirt..."

<Hugonel> To my eye she turned into an animal and clawed at my arm. Being in a semi-stupor I wouldn't have thought much of that, but the evidence from my shirt and my arm later spoke to its veracity.

<Ilphere> Oh my...! :o

<Hugonel> My research indicates strongly that these individuals are fey creatures.

<Fredericia> Which individuals?

<Zola> Everyone but us two.

<Hugonel> Klara Dannan, Vernel Nicandor, Tiazi, Jaida Misain, and ... Jonas Steinrenne.

<Marl> Do you have reason to think they meant you harm, apart from the incident with your shirt?

• Aubrienne gives Hugo a concerned look.

<Hugonel> I should emphasize, though, that I am not accusing them of anything in particular ... although I do think that Eirini killed both the Count and M. Berthillon.

<Hugonel> If they had meant us harm that night, we would be dead.

<Zola> You do? But Jonas said Berthillon wasn't her style...

• Zola looks quite surprised at that.

<Hugonel> Then who do you think killed Berthillon? Klara?

<Zola> That's what he said.

<Hugonel> I don't know. As I say, there is much about this that does not make sense.

<Aubrienne> And, as I recall, Hugo, you said you believe that M. Berthillon's death was an accident, or at least not malicious.

<Zola> Well...

<Titania> Father, I know Jonas. He doesn't pose any threat to the Empire.

• Zola nods at Titania

<Marl> We'll see.

<Zola> He gave us ... pretty straightforward answers, all things considered.

• Marl says impassively

<Zola> He told us to be careful of Klara, because it was her nature to be dangerous.

<Hugonel> Honestly I don't know who or what poses a threat to me, to Titania's Cabaret, to those at Seda Grove, or the Empire at large.

<Aubrienne> As I mentioned, whatever issues we are having with the fey, it seems to be a particular group of them, not the fey as a whole.

<Hugonel> My assumption at this point is that I would be wisest to keep apart from all of them.

<Aubrienne> Some, like Jonas, seem content to live as otherwise normal citizens.

• Hugonel nods.

<Hugonel> I agree with that. Although based on my research, I believe that the type of entity he may be is called a 'fossegrim', and is hardly benign.

• Marl nods

<Marl> I expect there's no point in asking you to refrain from investigating this further. People rarely seem to listen to that sort of advice.

• Zola blinks
• RM_Alma has another chuckle.

<Hugonel> We seem to be pulled into this rather against our will. I should add, also, that I have, in my past, encountered one of these red-haired entities, over twenty years ago, when I was just a lad.

<Hugonel> And since our place of employment is currently experiencing some technical difficulties, it's not as if we have much else to do.

<Zola> I'm not sure how delving into this is going to work out with your plan to keep apart from them.

<Hugonel> Well, I intend to continue my research, and presumably we should also continue to work with M. Orecalo.

<RM_Alma> M. Orecalo?

<Ilphere> OH yes! He is very good...! ^-^

<Aubrienne> Given how little we seem to know about them and their intentions, doesn't it behoove us to find out as much as we can about them and their intentions.

<Hugonel> And also my uncle - he is aware of most of what I just discussed with you.

• Marl nods

<Marl> Yes, we'll be conversing extensively with M. Orecalo I expect.

<Marl> If you do garner further information on any of these matters, or other issues that you believe are connected, please inform Titania - that may be the easiest way to reach us.

<RM_Alma> Of those at the party, were you concerned about any of the others? The one who scratched you, and the host...

<RM_Alma> +Beyond

<Lathra> I could certainly stop investigating - I was pursuing it in the hopes of gathering enough evidence that somebody better-equipped than I would pay attention to it.

<Hugonel> I honestly would not presume, on the basis of those interactions, to exclude any of the others. Even Jonas, who, although I like him greatly, I would not assume at this point is beyond suspicion. Fey are very capable of deception and manipulation.

<Zola> The seer was quite creepy...

<Zola> And I was thinking we should see if the wine from the night of the first attack is the same wine Jaida Misain brought, Titania.

<Hugonel> In that case, I volunteer to get stoned for the greater good of the Empire, Your Majesty.

• Marl smirks slightly
• RM_Alma clears her throat.

<Titania> We do still have some of it stored away.

<Zola> We could probably recognise the effects, at least?

<Hugonel> Indeed.

<RM_Alma> At the risk of sounding larcenous...

<RM_Alma> If the opportunity should arise for you to obtain anything belonging to individuals you suspect are fey, or other, it might prove useful for us.

<RM_Alma> It certainly needn't be anything of value ... a trinket or even a receipt...

• Aubrienne looks skeptical.

<Hugonel> All right, I'll keep that in mind - although, as I say, I thought I might spend the next while researching from afar of these entities.

<RM_Alma> Trust me, dear, you can tell a lot from someone's trash :)

• Ilphere pictures Alma dumpster diving...

<Marl> Thank you for your information, and for taking the time to speak with us today.

<Marl> You can trust that we'll be pursuing these matters.

<Zola> Of course :)

<Hugonel> Thank you, Your Majesty. And do not hesitate to contact us should you have any further inquiries.

<Aubrienne> Oh course, your majesty.

<Zola> I'll leave ... my notes with the secretary?

<Marl> That would be fine, thank you.

• Titania will see you out, then

<Aubrienne> <w>How do you think it went?

<Titania> <w> Pretty good... I'm worried about Jonas, but I can deal with that.

• Titania gives your hand a quick squeeze when she thinks no one is looking
• Aubrienne smiles encouragingly.

<Zola> That wasn't so bad, I guess?

<Titania> It certainly could have been worse. Thank you.