[Adventure] Madness at Gardmore Abbey

[FourMonos]

Merri steps forward a little bit, trying to exude confidence, not only in what her companions were saying, but also in the decision the guard captain was making.

"Good Sir, should we wish harm on this fine keep, would we walk so kindly to the door and ask to deliver this package? Would we so clearly defer to your wisdom in this matter? True scoundrels would react with anger and force themselves upon you and your wards. That is the farthest thing from our minds. (she pats the blind elf kindly on the shoulder) We were chosen by the Mayor due to our ability to bring the package here safely to the Lady. Perhaps she should be made aware of this request so as best decide the course of action?"

Diplomacy assist: 1d20+7+2 → [19,7,2] = (28)

 

[Mewness]

Papolstaanas nods vigorously along with his companions' arguments, but keeps his own mouth clamped shut. Talking nearly always gets him into trouble...

[sblock=ooc]I'll wait for Joy to do that last assist, as Papolstaanas's chance isn't so great even with the Ardent bonus.[/sblock]

 

[Neurotic]

OOC: I think we're done...Illarion 18 (with +2 I didn't know about) and 3 successful assists = 24

 

[Son of Meepo]

The captain ponders the situation for a moment before turning to one of his subordinates.

"Alert the Lady to their presence."

The soldier seems unsure at first, but a stern look from the Captain causes him to quickly dart into the tower.

Several long minutes pass as you wait at a complete standstill, crossbows still trained on each of you. Some of you are just about to run out of patience when the front door, the only visible door into the keep opens. Just a crack at first, but eventually it is slowly pulled open at great effort by 2 burly guards.

A aging woman, her hair graying and face wrinkled smooths out her gray dress, silently waiting to escort you inside.

Once you step across the threshold, she responds with a curt "This way." and she leads you into the sitting room. Above the fireplace is a grand portrait, nearly ten feet tall, depicting nearly the exact scene on the card which you have come to deliver. The only difference being the bright day depicted in front of you is contrasted by the overcast sky of the card you carry.

"The Lady of the house shall be with you in a moment."

A few minutes later, the servant returns with a much younger woman shadowing her. The girl is pretty, her face framed by bouncing brunette curls. She is a bit plump compared to the stick thin woman that greeted you at the door, but she takes care not to hide her curves. She carries a tray of teacups with a platter of cakes at its center. The older woman carries a steaming teapot. The lot is set before you and the young woman gives a flirtatious smile to Drew before the pair departs, leaving you to your refreshments.

 

[Neurotic]

Illarion takes the package out again.

"Should I unwrap it before the lady comes? It's not like we don't know what's inside."

He walks slowly around the room, feeling his way around, focusing on the shape of the furniture and soon moves with confidence.
"Would someone please describe me what is on the paintings?"

 

[FourMonos]

Merri giggles after the matronly lady leaves, "Oh my goodness, I thought that was the lady of the manor for a second!"

She busies herself walking slowly around the room, looking at all the aspects, including the painting. Since Merri doesn't really get that hungry (especially since traveling with Joy for some reason), she doesn't eat anything.

"I don't think we should open the package, Illarion, it isn't for us. The painting is just like the card the Mayor gave us to deliver. Except the card is a night scene and the painting is the day scene."

 

[Mewness]

Papolstaanas eagerly takes a little cake, pours himself a cup of tea, and then applies himself to the problem of sipping it.

 

[Dekana]

Eva notices the servant's flirtatious smile to Drew and enters deep thought herself. She remains quiet and walks slowly in circles while pondering.

 

[MetaVoid]

The monk smiles back, the smile friendly and innocent, oblivious to the meaning it could signify.
He is trained warrior, older in some ways then veteran warriors in some things. In others, he's a young boy who had no contact outside his temple with normal people of the world.

He takes some tea and hard cookies and stands near the wall waiting for the hostess. His only movement is to get out of the way of the blind sorcerer and slow movements of his tea holding hand.

 

[Son of Meepo]

The tea is strong, even a bit bitter for those not accustomed to it.

[sblock=Perception (passive) 20]There is a floral hit to the brew that is not familiar to teas grown in this part of the Isles. It was likely imported and not from one of the proximate isles. Whether it came from the Near Lands or the Far, it likely came at great expense.[/sblock]

Your cakes are moist, filled with a layer of a tart berry jam and frosted with a dollop of buttercream. Their sweetness compliments the tea nicely, which is in turn balanced by the tartness of the filling.

After 10 minutes respite, the door opposite where you entered the sitting room opens and a woman, likely in her mid to late 20s enters the room. The resemblance to the large picture that dominates the room is uncanny, her nose is a little straighter and more pointed than the woman in the portrait, the other features of her face seem to match other than the length of her hair which is slightly longer than her ancestor's depiction and is currently damp. She tightens her belt and then smiles at the group.

"I hope my servants have not been too much trouble. Now tell me what has brought you here?"